We’ve got Will for a late fight
GRACIA BACKS HUGHES
JAVI GRACIA is banking on a fully-fit Will Hughes to ensure Watford’s season doesn’t tail off again.
The Hornets have fallen away badly towards the end of the last two seasons.
Garcia is Watford’s fourth different manager during their three-season topflight stay.
The Spaniard has been boosted by Hughes’ return following a long-term hamstring injury.
And the manager believes his £8m midfielder holds the key to a strong finish.
Watford head to Liverpool today and Gracia said: “Of course I’d like to improve on the last two seasons.
“And Will’s return will only help the team. He has high qualities and is a very good player.
“He offers something different to us as he keeps the ball well.
“He has shown he can make a very good final pass to help score goals.
“You see many different players in England but maybe he ® is more similar to a typical Spanish player in the style he plays.” Watford frustrated Liverpool on the opening day of the season to earn a 3-3 draw. It promises to be an even tougher test at Anfield, with the Hornets having gone more than six hours without scoring on the road under Gracia. “If you can do it once against them, then you can do it again,” said Gracia. “This has to be the mentality for us. “Liverpool are a very strong side, so we know it’s not going to be easy, but we’re going to try. “We need to look for the way we can hurt them in our attack. “If you play thinking only about defending, you are going to lose, for sure. “We will try to exploit their weakness.” Mid-table Watford are nine points off the relegation zone but Gracia added: “We still need points to achieve our target. “That’s the message to the players.”